Falling For Zoe (The Camerons of Tide's Way #1) by Skye Taylor

house.
    “I married Martin’s brother.” Celia smiled wistfully. “Richard was too young to fight in that war. He went to Vietnam instead. We were married as soon as he got out of the Army. Richard built a house for us right next door, and Marsha grew up in that house.” Celia frowned. “But she’s gone now, too.”
    Zoe still had a hard time wrapping her heart and mind around the idea of a woman who could turn her back on her entire family. Falling out of love with one’s husband was distressingly common, but to leave an ailing mother and three daughters behind? How could any woman be so uncaring and selfish?
    A wistful look of rejection clouded Celia’s features, and Zoe hurried to banish the unwanted memory. “Tell me about Martin. What’s he like?” Might as well get the facts straight before she encountered any ghosts that might be lurking.
    Celia had lived on Awbrey Circle her entire adult life . In a house her husband built on Jolee land. And Jake is apparently living in his mother-in-law’s house rather than the other way around. I bet Celia could tell a lot of interesting old stories. If she could remember them.
    Celia’s smile returned. “Martin was so handsome, and he was such a sweet man. He was older than me. He was always nice to me, but he never noticed how we had so many things in common.” Celia sighed, then brightened again. “He loved animals. I love animals, too, you know. He had a dog named Pounce and a cat called Whiskers, and he fed the wild animals, too. Deer would walk right up and take food from his hand.”
    If ghosts really exist, I guess I can expect a visit one of these days. I’ve filled his house with half a dozen animals. Maybe I should set up bird feeders and start tossing nuts out for the squirrels.
    “He would never hurt you.” Celia patted Zoe’s hand. “So you needn’t worry. But, sometimes he forgets to close the doors.”
    Jake appeared and took the stairs two at a time, interrupting Celia’s wandering memories. “Hey, Mom. Ready to come home yet?” He bent to kiss Celia’s powdered cheek. Then he looked at Zoe. “Thanks. Now I really owe you.”
    A number of possible ways Jake could reward her flashed through Zoe’s mind, but all were X-rated. She chided herself for her silliness. “I’ve enjoyed our visit. Celia told me all about Martin.”
    Jake rolled his eyes. He apparently didn’t believe in Celia’s ghost.
    “She told me that she’s lived in this neighborhood most of her life.”
    “All her life,” Jake corrected. He gestured with the sweep of an arm, taking in the three homes that graced the little neighborhood. “Celia grew up in the Cliffords’ house and married the youngest son of the man who inherited yours. When they married, her husband, Richard, built the house I live in. Celia’s maiden name was Clifford, and Bill Clifford is her father’s much younger brother’s son. So Bill is her cousin, and I think that makes Bill’s son Danny her second cousin, or is that first cousin once removed? I can never get that straight. Anyway, we’re all related somehow.”
    “All except for me.” Zoe suddenly felt left out. Which was absurd. She had a family of her own. Just because they lived in Wilmington proper, and she’d moved to this little bedroom town where the old Jolee Plantation land once stood, didn’t mean she didn’t still belong.
    “Well, they adopted me, maybe they’ll adopt you. You can be an honorary Clifford, or a Jolee if you prefer. Personally, I’d stick with Clifford. I know you’ve met Danny. I’ve seen him playing with your dogs, but have you met Bill and Carrie yet?”
    “They had me over to supper the other night.” Zoe got to her feet. “I’ll have to ask about the adoption option next time.”
    “Jake?” Celia stood and frowned at Zoe. “Why am I here?”
    “You came to visit, Mom. Would you like to go home now?”
    “Yes, I think that would be best. I don’t think I should be here when Martin